NCA 2009 President's Award Recipient - The Progressive Rancher ...

LookUP
by Pastor Diana Gonzalez
by Pastor Diana Gonzalez
Superman
Remember the old Superman series on TV? How cool it was when the poor
weaklings got saved from the bad guys when the man of steel came to their
defense. We might think how convenient it would be to have Superman on speed dial.
Right now I have some aggravating cows I’d like him to work over if they don’t stay
in the pasture!
When I think back on that TV series, I don’t think about how strong and fast Superman
was, I think on the people who thought they were poor and weak. And while the show
was only make-believe, it reminded me of the Hebrew children when they came out of
Egypt. The good Lord had rescued the nation of Israel out of slavery, bondage and abuse.
He showed himself strong, powerful and faithful through signs, wonders and miracles over
and over and over again. Still, the people murmured and complained over and over and over
again. The Lord promised them a good land; a land filled with milk and honey.
Numbers 13:1-2 — Then the Lord spoke to Moses saying, “Send out for
yourself men so that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I am going
to give to the sons of Israel; you shall send a man from each of their fathers’
tribes, every one a leader among them.” NAS
When the spies returned they had a good report, and a bad report.
Numbers 13:25-28 — When they returned from spying out the land, at the
end of forty days, they proceeded to come to Moses and Aaron and to all
the congregation of the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh;
and they brought back word to them and to all the congregation and showed
them the fruit of the land. Thus they told him, and said, “We went in to the
land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and
this is its fruit. Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and
the cities are fortified and very large; and moreover, we saw the descendants
of Anak there.” NAS
Twelve spies went into the promised land. Two men, Joshua and Caleb, saw the exceedingly
good land, and ten men saw only the giants.
Now all of the Hebrews, including the twelve spies, had seen the mighty miracles of
God. Two were convinced. Ten were not convinced that God could do what He said He
could do. What was the problem here? Ten men had a heart condition: hard, unbelieving
hearts.
In Numbers 11:23, the Lord asked Moses, “Is the Lord’s power limited? Now you shall
see whether My Word will come true for you or not.” NAS
God’s power is unlimited! And God’s Word is true. So who got to enter the promised
land? The two believers whose hearts were tender to the Word of God, whose hearts were
full of faith in God.
The same is true today; the receivers are the believers. In a way we have our own
Superman. John 3:16 says that God so loved the world (in spite of us and our sins) that He
You are invited to
COWBOY CHURCH!
1st Saturday of every month
Standish, CA @ 6:00 p.m.
Hwy. 395 /A3 — Standish 4-H Hall
Are you having a
Rodeo or Livestock event?
Give us a call.
We would love to come to your
event or ranch and host
Cowboy Church for you.
Harmony Ranch Ministry
Tom J. Gonzalez Diana J. Gonzalez, Pastor
3767 Keyes Way (775) 867-3100
Fallon, NV 89406 threecrossls@cccomm.net Cell (775) 426-1107
gave His only begotten son, Jesus.
Jesus came to Earth as a man. Everything He did He did as a man, with the power of
the Holy Spirit. The gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are a blueprint of how we
are supposed to walk on this Earth, with the same power and authority that Jesus has. He
died for us to have it!
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will
do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.
Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified
in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. If you love
Me, you will keep My commandments. John 14:12-15 NAS
Greater works than Jesus! How on Earth are we going to do that? Jesus answers that
question in John 14:16-20:
I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be
with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive,
because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He
abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come
to you. After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see
Me; because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in
My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. NAS
The mighty Holy Spirit gives us the power to be little Christs (Christians). So what’s
the key to this power and authority?
Key #1: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to
the Father but through Me.” John 14:6 NAS
Ask Jesus into your life. Jesus said in John 3:3 you must be born again (spiritual
regeneration).
Key #2: Read and believe the Word of God with a tender, loving heart.
John 15:7-11 — If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever
you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you
bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved
Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments,
you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments
and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may
be in you, and that your joy may be made full. NAS
James 4:6-8 — But He gives a greater grace. Therefore is says, “God is opposed
to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit therefore to God.
Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will
draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts,
you double-minded. NAS
Key #3: Dare to live (your choice) the abundant life, with all the power and authority
Christ died to give you.
The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have
life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10 NAS
You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with
power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil,
for God was with Him. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon
all those who were listening to the message. Acts 10:38, 44 NAS
Let’s purpose in our hearts to humbly submit to the Word of God. Then with faith in
that Word we can live the superman (and woman) lives that bring us peace, no matter what
is going on around us.
Read Mark 11:22-26 and Luke 10:17-20.
Happy trails. May God richly bless you. We love you and would love to hear from you.
If you would like someone to pray with, or just have a question, please give us a call at (775)
867-3100. ‘Til next time…
If you would like a Cow Country Church booklet for yourself or a friend, email or
call us with your request and we will mail it out to you free of charge. Pastor Diana, threecrossls@cccomm.net.
(775) 867-3100
28 April 2013
The Progressive Rancher
www.progressiverancher.com